Monday, July 19, 2010

Those pesky facts.

3 comments:

Taking this on its face, it's actually not very surprising. Democrats hold 256 out of 435 House seats, or 59%. Fifty-seven percent is probably attributable to sampling error (e.g., how "the wealthiest Congressional districts in the country" was defined), but if not it would actually mean that they are slightly *under*represented by Dems.

Of course, that isn't to say The Other Side has a close personal relationship with the truth, either. My current favorite: “People such as scientist Stephen Hawking wouldn’t have a chance in the U.K., where the National Health Service would say the life of this brilliant man, because of his physical handicaps, is essentially worthless.” (Investors Business Daily)

Along those lines... another canard one frequently hears is that "if the gummint takes over health care, going to the doctor will be like going to the BMV!"

To which I reply: if only.

I got my driver's license renewed this morning, and I was curious as to how long I would be dealing with that bureaucratic nightmare. So, as I opened the door, I hit the timer button on my watch. Hit it again on the way out, and here's the result: in and out in 8:47. Eight minutes, forty-seven seconds for a driver's license renewal.

On the other hand... my private-practice, NRA-sticker-flaunting physician, whom I've been going to for 20 years and love dearly, has never, ever seen me within 30 minutes of a scheduled appointment. She can't help it: she's never running less than half an hour late. Those of us who are long-term patients just plan for it.

I would advise my doctor that she could use a bit of government efficiency but I know she has a snubnose .357 near to hand so I believe I'll pass on that.